Ayyam-i-Ha

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Ayyam-i-Ha

February 25-March 1

Also known as Days of Ha, the Ayyam-i-Ha are intercalary days (extra days inserted in a calendar) in the Baha'i calendar. The calendar is made up of 19 months of 19 days each (361 days), plus the period of four days (five in leap years) of Ayyam-i-Ha added between the 18th and 19th months, which allows for the year to be adjusted to the solar cycle. The days are set aside for rejoicing, hospitality, gift-giving, special acts of charity, and spiritually preparing for the Baha'i fast, from March 2-20. March 21 is New Year's Day, Nawruz, and the first day of the Baha'i calendar.The new calendar was inaugurated by Mirza Ali Mohammad, known as the Bab, founder of the Babi religion from which the Baha'i faith emerged. Baha'is believe that the new age of unity they foresee should have a new calendar free of the associations of the older calendars.The Baha'i observe nine days on which work connected with trade, commerce, industry, and agriculture should be suspended. These days are the first, ninth, and 12th days of the Feast of Ridvan, Nawruz, the anniversaries of the Bab's birth, declaration, and martyrdom, and the birth and ascension of Baha' u'lah.

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